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Per a recent Chamber of Commerce survey, 89 percent of respondents believe Washington charts the wrong economic course; blaming stagnation largely on taxes and regulatory burdens. America has seemingly forgotten the wellsprings for her vast wealth. Historically, Americans generally enjoyed a stable dollar, relatively low taxes, sacrosanct contracts and respect for property. Free from government interference and confident our rights would be upheld, the pursuit of profit propelled Americans to unprecedented living standards.

Affluence comes by aligning talent to capital without having to appease those in authority. In pursuing self-interest, we garner profit through efficiently satisfying customers in manners which enrich the entire populace. Adam Smith observed markets flourish “as if led by an invisible hand.” The economy reflects all of us chasing dreams. Assuming transactions are engaged freely and measured fairly, each party typically benefits or else they’d trade elsewhere.

Self-interest isn’t just economic, but most are stirred by money somewhat even if merely to facilitate other priorities like serving God or enjoying the arts. The profit motive acts like water forever seeking its level. Self-interest channels capital through, around or over obstacles, but prosperity flows most plentifully with its way less littered by regulatory rapids. Laws exist to protect our persons and property. Like referees, governments perform best when noticed least. Good governance remains impartial, refraining from dictating outcomes.

The greater freedom we retain over our time and resources the more effectively this invisible hand guides productive enterprise. When states require that we buy what they want, it’s a tax. Our resources are encumbered when Washington requires that we obtain state sanctioned insurance. Forcing specific behaviors impairs markets as we devote effort toward pleasing politicians rather than customers. Steering our priorities via subsidies, restrictions or compliance steals our focus from economic output towards partisan politics.

And we get a sub-prime mortgage mess.

Every regulation to some degree disrupts the river’s natural economic rhythm. The state’s role isn’t to determine the current’s course, but to enforce contracts, protect property and maintain honest scales so self-interest doesn’t deluge into swamps of fraud, brigandage or autarky. Once regulators begin damming commerce or diverting its drive, the market’s potency ebbs. Particularly when the waters are diffused for arbitrary political reasons or shifting banks stir financial turbulence.

President Obama and his regulatory legions flaunt very heavy, very visible hands pressing partisan self-interest. While severe, this isn’t unique; regulatory staffing surged 42 percent and spending shot 50 percent higher under President Bush. Both parties purport to focus on jobs but sift our time, energy and resources through a regulatory sieve. Obamacare, Dodd-Frank and other laws still in implementation threaten to besiege posterity under bureaucratic assault.